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Ahead of the assembly polls in the Union Territory, the Congress on Wednesday released "Kya khoya, kya paya Jammu and Kashmir chargesheet sab kuch khoya, kuch nahi paya," alleging the BJP's betrayal over issues like unemployment, agriculture, education, health, and statehood.
The document released by the Congress targeted Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, alleging that the voice of the people in J-K is being suppressed. "An unelected Lieutenant Governor (LG), appointed from Delhi, holds all power and, despite promises, the restoration of statehood has been denied to the proud people of J-K, treating them as second-class citizens. Outsiders are being allocated land, resources, and jobs, while the locals grapple with rising prices, high taxes, water shortages, poor electricity supply, and excessive billing through smart meters," it said. The document also highlighted that Jammu and Kashmir has the second-highest unemployment rate in the country, double the national average, with 65 per cent of government posts remaining vacant since 2019. "Corruption is reportedly being encouraged from the top, starting in the LG's own office, with mining, liquor, and construction contracts awarded to cronies. Moreover, those who attempt to expose corruption face ruthless prosecution," the Congress' document added. Sharpening its attacks on the BJP, the Congress said that for the past five years, J&K has been ruled directly by a Lieutenant Governor (LG) appointed by the Centre, so the BJP therefore, bears "direct responsibility for the widespread looting of state resources, rampant corruption, record unemployment, and unprecedented price rise that has characterised this period." "Over the last five years, the promises of peace, employment, water, and electricity have fallen flat, replaced by unemployment, water shortages, power outages, and rising drug addiction. The promises to eradicate corruption and terrorism have failed; instead, resources continue to be looted, and terrorism has spread to Jammu. Promises of job opportunities for local youth have been broken, with jobs being allocated to outsiders. Jammu has suffered immensely since the biannual Durbar Move was abolished," the Congress said in its document. It also mentioned that according to government PLFS data, in March 2024, J&K had the second highest youth unemployment rate of 28.2 per cent in the 15-29 age group. "The unemployment rate for young women is 48.6 per cent, the highest in the country. Contrary to grand claims and despite the introduction of the 2021 New Industrial Policy, a mere 3 per cent of investments have materialised on the ground. Around 40 per cent of projects under the PM's Development Package of 2015 remain pending almost ten years later," the Congress pointed out. The 'Chargesheet', further alleged that in J-K, electricity billing has gone up since the forcible introduction of smart meters while the reliability of electricity supply has gone down. "Kashmir faced its worst electricity crisis with power generation hitting a record low of 50-100 megawatts (MW) against the demand of 1,800 MW, badly impacting the life of over 70 lakh people in November 2023," it said. "According to a 2021 report by the NITI Aayog, J-K only has 17 beds per lakh population in district hospitals, far below the national average of 24 beds per lakh population," it added. The Congress' 'Chargesheet' also pointed out that the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) reported a 15 per cent growth in crimes against women in J-K in 2021. "There has been a conscious attempt to finish off government schools and to promote expensive private schools. All of this is again aimed at the poor and vulnerable sections of society. Around 4,400 government-run schools in J-K have been closed," it said. Polling in Jammu and Kashmir will be conducted in three phases on September 18, September 25, and October 1. The counting of votes will take place on October 8. (ANI)
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